NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The two winningest teams in Atlantic Sun volleyball history, both with perfect 4-0 marks in league play this year are set to collide Thursday night, as Lipscomb hosts rival Belmont at Allen Arena at 6:30 p.m. in the annual installment of the “Battle of the Boulevard” in Nashville.

Riding a season-high, eight-game winning streak, Lipscomb (10-6, 4-0 A-Sun) has won the last five matches in the series and seven of the last nine against Belmont (13-6, 4-0 A-Sun).

“Anytime rival schools come together it’s going to be a special night,” said Lipscomb head coach Brandon Rosenthal. “It’s going to be electric. We should have close to a record crowd which is always fun.”

“On top of those things, you add the fact that both teams are 4-0 and tied for the lead in the conference. Both teams have had great seasons and it should add that much more to the rivalry. Every time we have played them over the last couple of years it has been a dogfight. Ultimately it’s going to come down to the players and how well we’re able to execute in tight situations.”

Lipscomb continues to pace the conference in hitting percentage with a .233 mark along with ranking tops in assists (12.73/set) and kills (13.84/set).

The opponent: Belmont – The Bruins enter Thursday night’s contest on a roll of their own having won their last seven contests and 11 of their last 12. A-Sun Preseason Player of the Year, Maggie Johnson, leads the league in kills per set averaging 4.61 kills per frame. Belmont as a team leads the league in digs (17.29/set) and service aces (2.12/set).

“Deane does a fantastic job with that program,” said Rosenthal. “It should be interesting to see the different nuances of the match. I think we know each other well and it’s (going to be) how well can we execute our offense and defense against their offense and defense.”

“Maggie Johnson, the preseason player of the year has been playing outstanding volleyball the last couple of weeks and really throughout the whole year. It will be interesting to see her and the other players with Hanna Miranda their setter and Jen Meyer on the right side going up against our outsides, middles and right sides.”

The details: 6:30 p.m. at Allen Arena. Admission is free and the first 200 Lipscomb students will receive a free t-shirt. Lipscomb fans are encouraged to wear black for the "Black Out" event. Live internet video coverage will be provided on A-Sun.tv